Croatia

Northern Croatia

SultansTrail passes through the northern, continental part Croatia during approximately seven hiking days. A considerable stretch of the Croatian route follows the rivers Drava and Danube. This lowland area is known as the Panonian plain. The route passes through the following cities and villages: Udvar, Draz, Zmajevac, Dvorak Tikves, Zlatna Greda, Bilje, Osijek, Klisa, Bobota, Vukovar, Sotin, Opatovac, Mohovo, Ilok and Backa Palanka.

The route through Northern Croatia

The route follows both asphalt roads and dirt roads. The route is mostly on flat terrain and every night accommodation will be available so you don’t need to carry a tent. Accommodation varies from farm accommodation to four star hotels and from private rooms to the old hunting castle of Tito.Osijek is the main city in the region Slavonia, located at the river Drava and the fourth largest city in the country. In its past the city was occupied by Celts and Romans.

In 1526 the Ottoman Turks occupied Osijek. Sultan Suleiman ordered an eight kilometer long bridge crossing the Drava and nearby swamps and he demanded that it should be build in eight days. In those days it was considered the eight’ world wonder. The Ottomans also build other important buildings, like the old fortress, mosques and hamams.

In 1687 Austrian troops forced the Turks out of the city and it remained almost deserted till 1712 when the Austrians started building a new military complex at the place of the old fortress. The pattern of Dutch lowland fortresses served as base plan. After 1945 the city was the cultural center of the German Donauschwaben, who were forced to leave their country after the Second World War.

At the beginning of the 90’s Osijek, being a border city,was under Serbian fire for months. But the new republic of Croatia managed to hold on to the city and limit the damage done to its inner city..

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